Violent clashes claim 211 lives in eastern Afghanistan

A series of violent clashes between Afghan army soldiers and Taliban militants have claimed the lives of 11 troops and 200 militants in the country’s troubled east.

Afghan Defense Ministry officials said on Friday that around 200 militants were killed in large-scale security operations in eastern provinces of Logar and Nangarhar over the past 24 hours.

Authorities added that 11 Afghan national army soldiers have also lost their lives during the operations in the troubled region.

Defense Ministry spokesman, General Zahir Azimi, said the most fierce battle took place in Azra district of Logar Province and its adjacent areas.

Despite the Afghan government’s operations against Taliban militants and associated groups, they have still been able to spread their influence in various regions of the war-torn country.

There has been no letup in the Taliban attacks on US-led foreign troops across Afghanistan. US-led troops and Afghan forces hence are falling prey to Taliban attacks on an almost daily basis.

In late April, the Taliban announced the start of their annual “offensive” against US-led and Afghan forces, vowing a new wave of attacks across Afghanistan.

The militant group said it would use “every possible tactic” to inflict casualties on Afghan and US-led forces. They specifically mentioned insider and bomb attacks.

The announcement prompted Afghan authorities to beef up security in major cities across the country, including the capital city of Kabul.

The United States and its allies invaded Afghanistan in 2001 as part of Washington’s so-called war on terror. The offensive removed the Taliban from power, but the country is still gripped by insecurity.